Derbyshire tourism board backs charity to improve disabled access

Visit Peak District and Derbyshire is backing a Derbyshire charity in its continued money-spinning drive to support the disabled with accessible tourism.

Accessible Derbyshire is to be the tourist board’s first-ever chosen charity throughout 2016.

The charity, set up by Gillian Scotford and Jane Carver, will receive support thanks to a link on Visit Peak’s website to invite donations, highlight sponsored events and encourage other tourist board members to adopt the cause.

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Director Jo Dilley said: “Not only have we worked with Gillian and Jane in the past, we were recently only one of just seven destinations to secure a share in national tourist board VisitEngland’s Access for All project, aimed at promoting England as a leading destination for accessible tourism.

“We know Gillian and Jane are passionate and we share their enthusiasm for improving access, so we have decided to support their work by raising money for them throughout next year.”

Gillian and Jane stated they were absolutely thrilled that Visit Peak District & Derbyshire has chosen to support Accessible Derbyshire.

Both Gillian and Jane, who have children with severe disabilities, are determined that Visit Peak and the charity can make Derbyshire an even more accessible destination.

Peak District and Derbyshire businesses that took part in Access for All included the following: Chatsworth; Crich Tramway Village; East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant, Rowsley; High Peak Borough Council’s Pavilion Gardens, Buxton; Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington; Peak Shopping Village, Rowsley; The Peak District National Park Authority’s Parsley Hay Cycle Hire near Buxton; and Rivendale Caravan and Leisure Park, near Ashbourne.

VisitEngland research reveals that the overnight accessible tourism market is now worth £3 billion per annum to the English economy.